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Biracial couples and adverse birth outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Ravisha M Srinivasjois1, Shreya Shah, Prakesh S Shah

  • 1Department of Neonatology and Paediatrics, Joondalup Health Campus, and Joondalup Child Development Centre, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica
|July 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Biracial parents face increased risks for adverse birth outcomes like low birthweight and preterm birth compared to White parents. Maternal race significantly influences these pregnancy outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Perinatal Epidemiology
  • Racial Disparities in Healthcare

Background:

  • Known racial disparities exist in birth outcomes, including low birthweight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), and stillbirth.
  • Infants born to biracial parents also exhibit higher rates of adverse birth outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze birth outcomes among parents of mixed racial backgrounds compared to same-race parents.
  • To quantify the association between parental racial admixture and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and bibliographies for English language studies.
  • Included studies reporting on LBW, PTB, or small-for-gestational age (SGA) in relation to parental mixed racial status.
  • Compared data from White mother-Black father (WMBF), Black mother-White father (BMWF), and Black mother-Black father (BMBF) groups with White mother-White father (WMWF) controls.

Main Results:

  • Eight studies encompassing over 26 million singleton births were analyzed.
  • Compared to WMWF, adjusted odds ratios showed increased risks for LBW (WMBF: 1.21, BMWF: 1.75, BMBF: 2.08), PTB (WMBF: 1.17, BMWF: 1.37, BMBF: 1.78), and stillbirths (BMWF: 1.51, BMBF: 1.85).
  • The WMBF group had a 1.43 odds ratio for stillbirths.

Conclusions:

  • Parental biracial status is linked to a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to having two White parents.
  • The risk is lower than for parents who are both Black.
  • Maternal race exerts a greater influence on pregnancy outcomes than paternal race.
Abstract

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